SoftBank said to explore raising stake in chipmaker Nvidia

The firm will raise its holding over time and begin to work more closely with Nvidia

SoftBank Group Corp., the Japanese company that raised a $93 billion fund for technology investments, is considering boosting its stake in chipmaker Nvidia Corp., people familiar with the matter said.

The firm would raise its holding over time and begin to work more closely with Nvidia, the people said, asking not to be identified because the deliberations are private.

“While we don’t comment on rumours about our investments, we consider ourselves long-term partners to companies, whether private or public,” SoftBank said in an emailed statement. Nvidia declined to comment.

SoftBank had bought a 4.9 per cent stake, just under the amount that would